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CHEBOYGAN — Just over a year ago, Carson Kiefer was in a totally different spot.
He was a talented young player, but he was also hesitant at the junior varsity level.
“He would get in the paint and drive — then he would freeze up,” Cheboygan varsity coach Jason Friday said. “Right from day one, that wasn’t the case this year.”
ALL-NORTHERN SHORES BOYS: Cheboygan’s Carson Kiefer makes Northern Shores boys basketball first team
ALL-NORTHERN SHORES GIRLS: Cheboygan's Rupp makes NSC basketball first team; Patrick, Ptasnik on second team
From the first day of his junior season, Kiefer displayed a great aggressiveness he hadn’t showed in the past, and it elevated his game to new heights.
Kiefer, who played a giant role in leading the Chiefs to a 15-win season, is the Cheboygan Daily Tribune’s 2024-25 basketball player of the year.
“If you want to look at one play (that symbolized him this season), it would be that (left-handed) layup he had against Kalkaska, I think it was his fourth or fifth game of the year, where he took it right over the top of their big guy with a left-handed layup and finish in crunch time, and it was like, ‘All right, he isn’t afraid.’ He’s not afraid of anything, he’s not hesitant,” Friday said. “This is Carson.”
On many occasions this winter, Kiefer was the one spearheading the Chiefs to success, leading them with a team-high 13 points per game and averaging 5.7 rebounds — second-best on the team — along with two assists and a 76 percent free throw percentage.
“If you look at Carson, he’s not a physically intimidating person, but he’s just a baller,” Friday said. “For someone that’s your backup point guard, starting off-guard to be your second-leading rebounder, that’s impressive. He’s really blossomed.”
When his sophomore campaign concluded, Kiefer, along with his twin brother Andrew, got right back at it quickly by playing at the AAU level, participating in camps, and competing in scrimmages.
Once high school season neared, he was ready to go, and by the end of a tremendous junior season, he established himself as a top player in the program, being the only Chief to make the all-Northern Shores Conference first team.
COACH FERRAIUOLO: Josh Ferraiuolo successfully makes it through double-duty role as NMCA basketball coach
ALL-NLC BOYS: NMCA’s Ferraiuolos, Mackinaw City’s Ming make all-NLC girls basketball first team
ST. IGNACE GIRLS QUARTERFINAL: St. Ignace topped by Ewen-Trout Creek in Division 4 girls basketball quarterfinal
“It meant a lot having the team there and everything,” Kiefer said. “I think it was a good year. I enjoyed hanging out with the team, because they’re always there, and they make it a fun place to play basketball and have fun.”
While Kiefer was excellent individually, he knows he and his Cheboygan teammates have unfinished business once his senior season arrives. Instead of falling agonizingly short in the district final like this year, it’ll be about finishing the job in 2026.
“I think it’ll give me motivation to work hard in the offseason, come back next year, and it’s going to be fun,” Kiefer said.
As for Friday, he’s beyond thrilled to return the outstanding two-way performer who will be one of several Cheboygan players back for the 2025-26 season.
“Anytime you have a player back of his ability, you count your blessings,” Friday said. “We’ve got a handful coming back that are not just great players, but even more importantly, great students and great people, and Carson is right there on the top of that list. He is just this ball of energy and positivity."
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Two-way star Kiefer is Cheboygan Tribune boys basketball player of year
Continue reading...
He was a talented young player, but he was also hesitant at the junior varsity level.
“He would get in the paint and drive — then he would freeze up,” Cheboygan varsity coach Jason Friday said. “Right from day one, that wasn’t the case this year.”
ALL-NORTHERN SHORES BOYS: Cheboygan’s Carson Kiefer makes Northern Shores boys basketball first team
ALL-NORTHERN SHORES GIRLS: Cheboygan's Rupp makes NSC basketball first team; Patrick, Ptasnik on second team
From the first day of his junior season, Kiefer displayed a great aggressiveness he hadn’t showed in the past, and it elevated his game to new heights.
Kiefer, who played a giant role in leading the Chiefs to a 15-win season, is the Cheboygan Daily Tribune’s 2024-25 basketball player of the year.
“If you want to look at one play (that symbolized him this season), it would be that (left-handed) layup he had against Kalkaska, I think it was his fourth or fifth game of the year, where he took it right over the top of their big guy with a left-handed layup and finish in crunch time, and it was like, ‘All right, he isn’t afraid.’ He’s not afraid of anything, he’s not hesitant,” Friday said. “This is Carson.”
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On many occasions this winter, Kiefer was the one spearheading the Chiefs to success, leading them with a team-high 13 points per game and averaging 5.7 rebounds — second-best on the team — along with two assists and a 76 percent free throw percentage.
“If you look at Carson, he’s not a physically intimidating person, but he’s just a baller,” Friday said. “For someone that’s your backup point guard, starting off-guard to be your second-leading rebounder, that’s impressive. He’s really blossomed.”
When his sophomore campaign concluded, Kiefer, along with his twin brother Andrew, got right back at it quickly by playing at the AAU level, participating in camps, and competing in scrimmages.
Once high school season neared, he was ready to go, and by the end of a tremendous junior season, he established himself as a top player in the program, being the only Chief to make the all-Northern Shores Conference first team.
COACH FERRAIUOLO: Josh Ferraiuolo successfully makes it through double-duty role as NMCA basketball coach
ALL-NLC BOYS: NMCA’s Ferraiuolos, Mackinaw City’s Ming make all-NLC girls basketball first team
ST. IGNACE GIRLS QUARTERFINAL: St. Ignace topped by Ewen-Trout Creek in Division 4 girls basketball quarterfinal
“It meant a lot having the team there and everything,” Kiefer said. “I think it was a good year. I enjoyed hanging out with the team, because they’re always there, and they make it a fun place to play basketball and have fun.”
While Kiefer was excellent individually, he knows he and his Cheboygan teammates have unfinished business once his senior season arrives. Instead of falling agonizingly short in the district final like this year, it’ll be about finishing the job in 2026.
“I think it’ll give me motivation to work hard in the offseason, come back next year, and it’s going to be fun,” Kiefer said.
You must be registered for see images attach
As for Friday, he’s beyond thrilled to return the outstanding two-way performer who will be one of several Cheboygan players back for the 2025-26 season.
“Anytime you have a player back of his ability, you count your blessings,” Friday said. “We’ve got a handful coming back that are not just great players, but even more importantly, great students and great people, and Carson is right there on the top of that list. He is just this ball of energy and positivity."
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Two-way star Kiefer is Cheboygan Tribune boys basketball player of year
Continue reading...
